Carbon updating court records

More than 2 million papers would go digital

By AMY MILLER amiller@tnonline.com

Carbon County officials are working to make nearly two million court papers available to attorneys through an online database.

During the county commissioners' meeting last week, the board tabled a motion to hire Extract Systems LLC of Madison, Wis., indefinitely after Roberta Brewster, county court administrator, made the recommendation.

The cost for the redaction services in 2014 would be $46,622, with $2,654 annual support and maintenance costs in 2015.

She said the reason for tabling the motion indefinitely was because some issues arose with the contract that need to be reviewed first.

The county also plans to do testing to make sure the system will work as it is needed before officials enter into the agreement.

Commissioner William O'Gurek said that the reason for the redaction services is because some of the docket files that will be online from the Prothonotary and Register of Wills offices contain sensitive information such as minor's names and addresses, and social security numbers.

The online database will be made available to attorneys for an annual fee and will be able to be found on the Carbon County Court website.

Brewster added thatin addition to helpingattorneys in preparing for cases, the online database will help the court byserving as a backup in case of a fire or any other disaster that destroys the files or closes the courthouse indefinitely.

O'Gurek noted that this project has been in the works for years, and was a vision of former Judge John Lavelle.